Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).

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Opening

Speak these words out loud:

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.

Jeremiah 17.7 (NIV)

Today’s Proverb

Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.

Proverbs 20.12

The Good News version helps us out today – we might read the NIV and say to ourselves, ‘OK… so what?!’

I gave Jess a cookery book for Christmas for one of her favourite celebrity chefs (Nadiya Bakes). Did I give it to her to stop the papers on her desk from blowing away? Did I give it to her to prop open the door to our lounge? Did I give it to her to even out the wonky legs on the piano stool?

No!

I gave her the book so she could bake – me ;o) – some of the lovely things inside it. I gave her the book so she could enjoy her hobby and be creative and develop her baking skills.

That’s pretty obvious. So why don’t we use the ears God gave us to listen, and why don’t we use the eyes God gave us to see?

I’m afraid too many of us too often ignore what’s in front of us, instead of paying attention to it. I can’t count the number of times I ignore something Jess is telling me because I’m distracted. But how many times do we ignore the pain and suffering in Amington, on our very doorstep, and do nothing about it?

God gave us ears to listen with and eyes to see with – but are we?

Prayers

Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.

Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders. Today we are praying for:

Bibbey Family (Craig, Jonathan, Shaunnagha)

Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.

We also pray for: Home Groups (meeting virtually)

Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves.

Church Family Prayer

Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

Closing Prayer

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.

Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6

May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.